The Philippines on Friday (Jan. 7) recorded 21,819 additional COVID-19 cases, bringing the total confirmed cases to 2,910,664 and active case count to 77,369.
A total of 973 new recoveries and 129 deaths were also recorded.
Based on the Department of Health’s (DOH) data, 40% of the 70,049 tested on January 5 turned out positive for the disease.
Of the total active cases, 312 are critical and 1,461 are severe. The nationwide intensive care unit (ICU) utilization is at 32%, while NCR’s ICU occupancy has reached 48%.
On Thursday (Jan. 6), Metro Manila had a record high of around 11,600 new cases based on OCTA Research Group’s data. This has surpassed the over 9,000 cases recorded on Sept. 11, 2021.
In the Friday Palace briefing, the Department of Health (DOH) advised those experiencing symptoms or were exposed to a confirmed case to immediately isolate.
LOOK: Quarantine and isolation guidelines for the general population
DOH USec. Vergeire says all infected and positive for the disease with or without symptoms must isolate regardless of vaccination status. pic.twitter.com/aYKsCKs4lK
— PTVph (@PTVph) January 7, 2022
“Kahit hindi pa ninyo nare-receive ang inyong laboratory tests at kayo ay may sintomas o ‘di kaya kayo ay na-expose, kailangan talaga ngayon, ang pinakaimportante mag-isolate po tayo,” DOH USec. Maria Rosario Vergeire said. – With reports from Mark Fetalco/AG